Poland rejects Russian gas as Domański warns Germany at Warsaw forum

A warning in Warsaw

The fourth Polish-German Economic Forum opened in Warsaw on Monday, 26 October, organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. It marks the 35th anniversary of the Polish-German treaty on good neighbourliness and friendly cooperation, signed in 1991. Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański opened the event together with German Federal Minister for Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche. Domański used the occasion to say Poland will not accept a return to normal economic relations with Russia, including the use of Russian gas. Reiche agreed, arguing that purchases of Russian gas feed Vladimir Putin's war fund.

“In no scenario is there a return to business as usual with Russia.”

Domański told the German side directly that Europe must learn from the past, and he said Poland would never agree to that path. He called for an end to what he described as economic naivety, naming stronger growth, less bureaucracy, competitive energy markets and a responsible approach to technology as priorities. Reiche said the European Union grows stronger through trade agreements with partners in Asia, South America and Canada.

Why the warning carries weight

The remarks reflect concern that Germany could seek to resume economic ties with Russia, particularly in energy. Calls for renewed economic cooperation with Russia are growing in Germany, including from the AfD, which is gaining support. Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, said days earlier at a meeting in Strasbourg that her party puts German interests first and that German industry suffers from being cut off from Russian gas and oil. She blamed EU sanctions and the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline for the collapse of Germany's previous energy model.

German media reported in August on secret meetings between German politicians and Russian representatives, one of which was reportedly held in Baku in July. The debate at the forum was therefore not only ceremonial, and the Polish position was framed as a direct answer to those concerns.

Prices, trade and the economic record

Domański named energy prices as the biggest challenge for both countries, arguing that high costs weaken European firms against rivals in the United States and China. Reiche said Poland's economy has grown 3.8% a year since joining the EU, twice the EU average. She also said Poland's economic strength reached 38% of the EU average in 1990 and is now 85%, placing Poland among the 20 largest economies in the world. Trade turnover between Poland and Germany exceeded 180 billion euro in 2025 for the first time, and Reiche said more Polish firms are investing in Germany and creating jobs there. Domański praised cooperation with Germany in protecting the chemical and automotive sectors.

199038

202685

1990

38 % of EU average

2026

85 % of EU average

Data from the article text

Next steps for Warsaw and Berlin

Domański said Europe must be ready to face new geopolitical, strategic and technological challenges. He argued that the bloc can meet them only with a strong European economy.

“Europe must be ready to face these challenges.”

He also said Brussels needs more Polish-German economic cooperation and a louder shared voice in defending European industry. The forum closed with the two governments agreeing that energy prices and competitiveness will decide the next phase of their economic relationship.